The poinsettia is the flower of the season, and this two-sheet origami version captures its layered, star-shaped bloom beautifully. You'll fold one red sheet and one lighter sheet into matching petal units, then stack and glue them for a flower with real depth.

It's a short, photo-led build where firm creases make all the difference—press hard and the petals stay crisp. Let's fold a little Christmas cheer.

Way of folding

STEP 1. Place the white side up and fold the paper in half to make a triangle.

STEP 2. Fold it in half again.

STEP 3. The paper is now one-quarter of its original size. Open it into a square base from here.

STEP 4. One side opens into a square base. Open the other side the same way.

STEP 5. With the open section at the bottom, make a crease toward the center as shown by the dotted line.

STEP 6. Once you have the crease, open the paper.

STEP 7. Take one of the flaps and open it along the crease.

STEP 8. When both sides are open, press firmly along the creases.

STEP 9. That face is done. Open the back side the same way.

STEP 10. With the open section at the bottom, fold the left and right sides as shown by the dotted lines.

STEP 11. Align it with the horizontal center line and it will fold neatly.

STEP 12. Unfold the folded part, then fold it to the middle.

STEP 13. You’ve folded it to the middle. Fold the other side the same way.

STEP 14. Fold one of the flaps down from the center.

STEP 15. Let it fold flat into place; when it does, turn the model over.

STEP 16. Fold both flaps up along the creases.

STEP 17. You’ve folded one side. Fold the other side the same way.

STEP 18. One sheet is now complete.

STEP 19. Fold the second sheet the same way, steps 1 through 18, and stack the two so the red one sits on top. Glue the centers together to finish.

Points when folding

Pressing the creases firmly anywhere gives you crisp, sharp petals.

Fold the paper to one-quarter size and staple the edges to make wall decorations or wreaths.

Gluing the two layers together with their insides facing out yields a more three-dimensional flower.

Fold plenty with your child and use them to decorate the Christmas tree.